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Proton released their "new" car model yesterday. After much hype and anticipation, I went to check out Proton's "new" Pride & Joy today, the Proton Persona.

I'm disappointed I must say. Once again Proton is showing to us the general public how "good" a car maker they really are. And when I say "good" I mean good at manipulating. Like all the models prior to the Persona, this new car is just an old car with new and minor changes. In this case, the Persona has a bigger trunk and probably a higher roof.

The Persona is basically a stretched out Proton Gen-2. And THAT is EXACTLY what you will notice first, are those Gen-2 taillights. Even the shape of the trunk mimics that of the Gen-2.

Gen-2

Persona.

But hey! What about the front of the car? Maybe Proton totally redesigned the head?NO. No such luck there, the front is equally as identical to the Gen-2 as the back.

Gen-2

Persona.

Another big problem with Proton cars other than their design is Quality. We have all experienced them before, broken door handles, dead power windows, cracking interior, "one-eyed Jack" headlights and the occasional engine fire. It is still much too early to judge the quality of the Proton Persona, but from my showroom experience this afternoon, it "sounded" like a very well-built car. The doors all shut with a affirming "thud" and the interior had no loose ends. Let's just hope it stays that way for a long long time down the road.

I however, did not like the fabric they used for the interior at all. It reminded me so much of those old cloth couches. It might not seem so in pictures, but once you touch it, you will know what I mean.

ROAR. Tiger skin fabric

Surely there must be one GOOD thing about this car. Yes there is a saving grace for the Proton Persona. And that is.... the PRICE.

Base models start from RM44,999 OTR(on the road) and it works all the way up to the high-end model which is priced at RM55,800 OTR. This put the Proton Persona in the same price category as the very successful Perodua Myvi. For more or less the same amount of money, you will be getting a bigger space and bigger engine in the Proton Persona rather than the Perodua Myvi. Could this be the ultimate "Myvi Killer"? Only time(and quality) will tell, but the Proton Persona could ultimately end up killing its very own brothers and sisters the Proton Waja, Gen-2 and of course the Savvy.

So, if you're looking for a cheap, spacious and (possibly)reliable "NEW" car, you would probably want to give the Proton Persona a look. As Proton put it, "Our Pride and Joy". =.="

p/s: this post is not intended to offend anyone in particular especially Proton drivers. Peace.